The Teachercast Podcast

In this episode of the Digital Learning Today Podcast, Jeff welcomes Laura Stewart, Chief Academic Officer from the 95 Percent Group, onto the podcast to learn about the 10 Principles of Literacy Instruction. Together they discuss the need for explicit instruction, repeatable routines, and data-driven practices to enhance literacy education. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! In This Episode … The Science of Reading is crucial for effective teaching. Explicit instruction is essential for learning to read. Repeatable routines help students focus on content. Data collection must inform instructional practices. Evidence alignment ensures resources are effective. Implementation science bridges research and practice. Feedback on the 10 Principles has been positive. Leadership is key in transforming literacy practices. Top Ten Principles of Literacy Instruction Links of Interest: Th

In this episode of the Digital Learning Today Podcast, Jeff welcomes Andrew Vanden Heuvel onto the show to discuss how he is using Fortnite to teach complex scientific principals to students of all ages. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! In This Episode … Video games make awesome laboratories: Virtual worlds make excellent pedagogical tools for science educators. They allow us to bend the laws of reality, enter into life-sized experiments, and recreate famous experiments from history. Why Fortnite? It's popular, it's playable on almost any device, and it has an incredible set of game creation tools (Fortnite Creative + Unreal Editor for Fortnite). Also, Fortnite's Replay mode can turn Fortnite into a virtual production studio, enabling amazing storytelling projects far beyond the scope of our science project. Fortnite and the Metaverse: I would argue the Fortnite can/should be thought of a

In this conversation, Jeffrey Bradbury and Diane Manser explore the transformative power of digital tools in education, particularly focusing on Google animations. They discuss how these tools can enhance creativity, engagement, and learning across various subjects, while also addressing the emotional challenges teachers face and the importance of resilience and empowerment in the profession. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! [convertkit form=7230980] Conversation Takeaways Google Slides can be used creatively to make animations. Students can engage with animation concepts through familiar movies. Creating flipbook animations helps students understand the animation process. Using Google Slides allows for unique features not found in other presentation tools. The lesson plan for animations is available on TeacherCast. Students can express their creativity through animation projects.

In this episode of Digital Learning Today, hosts Jeffrey Bradbury and Diane Mansour delve into the concept of micro credentials and digital badging in education. They discuss the implementation of a badging program in the classroom, focusing on how it can enhance student engagement and motivation. The conversation also touches on the importance of curriculum development, the use of technology tools like Notion, and future plans for expanding the badging program. Throughout the episode, the hosts share insights and practical tips for educators looking to adopt similar strategies in their teaching. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! Digital Learning Tip of the Week Tip # Do Micro Credentials Provide Incentive for Student Learning? To get our weekly Instructional Coaching Tips sent right to your inbox, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter. In This Episode … 1. Introduction to Student Micro cred

In this episode of Digital Learning Today, hosts Jeffrey Bradbury and Diane Manser discuss the importance of restorative practices in education, emphasizing the need for building positive relationships with students. They explore the challenges teachers face in maintaining classroom management and the significance of accountability and support for students. The conversation also highlights the importance of emotional intelligence in teaching and the need for teachers to stay empowered and focused on their goals. Additionally, they celebrate personal achievements and the ongoing journey of professional development in the field of education. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! Conversation Takeaways Restorative practices help in building positive school climates. Building relationships with students is crucial for effective teaching. Teachers need to hold students accountable while providing s

In this episode of TeacherCast, Jeffrey Bradbury, Diane Manser, and Michelle Stie discuss the intricacies of professional development (PD) in education. They explore what constitutes effective PD, the importance of engaging teachers, and the role of community in fostering a supportive learning environment. The conversation highlights the need for alignment between administrators and teachers, the significance of measuring success in PD programs, and the challenges educators face in implementing new strategies. The episode concludes with practical advice for educators on navigating the complexities of PD and maintaining enthusiasm for teaching. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! Conversation Takeaways Professional development should be relevant to teachers' classroom experiences. Creating a culture of feedback and vulnerability is essential for effective PD. Engaging teachers in collaborativ

In this episode of Digital Learning Today, host Jeffrey Bradbury and guest Matt Rhoads discuss the topic of co-teaching in the classroom. They explore the benefits of co-teaching, the importance of effective partnerships, and strategies for successful collaboration. They also touch on the role of technology in supporting co-teaching and provide insights for administrators and teachers on how to implement and sustain co-teaching practices. Matt Rhoads also shares information about his upcoming book, 'Co-Teaching Evolved,' which offers practical guidance and resources for educators. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! Digital Learning Tip of the Week Tip # How do you create a successful Co-Teaching program in your K12 classrooms? To get our weekly Instructional Coaching Tips sent right to your inbox, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Conversation Takeaways Co-teaching involves working co

In this episode of Digital Learning Today, hosts Jeffrey Bradbury and Diane Mansour discuss the upcoming ISTE conference, focusing on the proposal process, the excitement of attending, and the importance of networking. They share insights on how to create effective proposals, the costs associated with attending, and how to sustain the energy gained from the conference throughout the school year. The conversation also touches on the merging of ISTE and ASCD conferences and offers advice for newcomers and returning attendees. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! Digital Learning Tip of the Week How do you create an ISTE Proposal that gets accepted for the big conference? To get our weekly Instructional Coaching Tips sent right to your inbox, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter. Conversation Takeaways ISTE proposals are blind, meaning anyone can be selected regardless of their social media fo

The Human Intelligence Movement is a grassroots educational movement focused on equipping students with human-centered skills. It was started by Dr. Michelle Amant and Travis Allen to address the need for learners to develop skills that cannot be replicated by AI. These skills include problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and adaptability. The movement aims to shift the focus in education from standardized assessments to project-based and problem-based learning that is relevant and meaningful to students. The movement also emphasizes the importance of building a community of like-minded educators who can learn from and support each other. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! In This Episode … Sharing the Mission & Purpose: Introduction to the Human Intelligence movement and its mission The rise of AI and its impact on the future of work Defining Human Intellige

In this episode, Jeffrey Bradbury and Diane Manser discuss the concept of backwards design in lesson planning. They emphasize the importance of starting with the end goal in mind and aligning lessons with standards and assessments. They also discuss the need for clear and measurable goals, as well as the importance of gathering evidence of student learning. The hosts provide tips for managing the content and instruction, and stress the value of staying organized and pacing oneself throughout the school year. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! Digital Learning Tip of the Week Tip # When planning out long term lessons and projects, consider using Backwards Design to make sure that all of your learning goals and standards are met. To get our weekly Instructional Coaching Tips sent right to your inbox, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter. In This Episode … How to accomplish Backwards Design

In this episode, Jeff Bradbury and Diane Manser discuss Canva for education with special guest Scott Nunes. They talk about the various ways Canva can be used in the classroom, such as creating presentations, student projects, and designing graphics. Scott shares examples of how schools and teachers are using Canva to save time and enhance student engagement. They also discuss the management aspect of using Canva, including how to prevent misuse and maintain a positive learning environment. In this conversation, Scott Nunes discusses various strategies for using Canva in the classroom, including creating parent emails, using Canva Lessons, and utilizing Canva websites. He also highlights features such as Magic Resize, AI art generator, and video editing capabilities. Scott emphasizes the importance of leveraging Canva to save time, personalize content, and empower students. He encourages educators to join the Canva EDU community on Twitter and Facebook and explore the Canva for Education website. If you are

In this episode of Digital Learning Today, Jeffrey Bradbury interviews Dr. Brandi Stinson, a principal from Maryland, about the communication app SMORE. They discuss the importance of effective communication in schools and how SMORE helps streamline the process. Dr. Stinson highlights the features of SMORE, such as multimedia integration, polls, translation, scheduling, branding, and analytics. They also discuss different ways to use SMORE, including newsletters, event announcements, and back-to-school night. Overall, SMORE is praised for its ability to create professional, visually appealing, and personalized communication for schools.If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today!Digital Learning Tip of the WeekTip # Elevate your weekly parent and staff communications by leveraging SMORE's dynamic platform rather than relying on traditional email.To get our weekly Instructional Coaching Tips se

In this episode of Digital Learning Today, Jeffrey Bradbury and Diane Manser discuss the importance of building professional relationships with teachers, students, and administrators. They emphasize the need to create a comfortable and engaging atmosphere in the classroom, including playing music and assigning seats. They also discuss the importance of introducing new technologies and tools in a thoughtful and approved manner. Additionally, they highlight the significance of building relationships with colleagues and offering support to new teachers. Overall, the episode emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships in the education community. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! Digital Learning Tip of the Week Tip # Take the first few weeks of the school year to get to know those woking with you and around you. To get our weekly Instructional Coaching Tips sent right to your inbox, p

In this episode of the Digital Learning Today podcast, host Jeffrey Bradbury interviews Katie Novak from SMART Technologies about inclusivity in education. They discuss the conversations and trends at the ISTE conference, the importance of inclusivity in classroom technology, and the features of SMART's inclusive learning bundle. They also talk about the lifespan of SMART boards, the Lumio software, and the future of educational technology. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! In This Episode … Can you give us an overview of SMART Technologies and your role at the company? Inclusive Learning Bundle Can you share more insight into the Inclusive Learning Bundle and how it was developed to assist neurodiverse students? Can you share more information about SMART’s sponsoring research from the University of Melbourne for neurodiverse students? Lumio Can you explain how Lumio is designed

In this episode of Digital Learning Today, Jeffrey Bradbury and Diane Manser discuss the various ways that Canva can be used in the classroom. They talk about the updates and features of Canva, as well as the ease of use for both teachers and students. They highlight the importance of building relationships with students and using Canva to create visually appealing presentations and handouts. They also discuss the use of Canva for creating business cards, email signatures, and social media graphics. The episode concludes with a preview of upcoming episodes and a discussion of the Canva AI features. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! Digital Learning Tip of the Week Tip # Save time each week by utilizing Canva Templates! By creating templates, you can repurpose Teacher meet/introduction Student presentations Scientific Method Timelines of facts/historical information Characterization

In this episode of Digital Learning Today, host Jeffrey Bradbury interviews Diane Manser, an English teacher and author, about the emotional challenges of teaching. Manser discusses the importance of recognizing and addressing the emotional impact of teaching, as well as strategies for building relationships with students and colleagues. She also shares some technology tools she uses in her classroom, such as ThingLink and Padlet, to engage students and facilitate discussions. The episode concludes with the announcement that Manser will be joining Bradbury as a co-host on future episodes of the podcast. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! In This Episode … Teaching is often viewed strictly as a content profession, but it is equally an emotional profession. Teachers can experience a range of emotions within their school day, including inferiority, defensiveness, reactions to student behaviors, fu

In this episode of the Digital Learning Today Podcast, Jeff welcomes Diane Manser and Allison Peterson on the program to discuss how Instructional Coaches and Teachers can work together in the classroom this year to support student achievement.If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today!To get our weekly Instructional Coaching Tips sent right to your inbox, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter.Conversation Takeaways Building relationships is the foundation of coaching and is crucial at the beginning of the school year. Coaches should be sensitive to teachers' readiness and adjust their support accordingly. Teachers can be proactive by identifying specific areas they want to work on and being open to support and resources. Coaches should stay updated on district goals and initiatives to effectively support teachers. Open-mindedness, focused goals, and dedicated time are key for succes

In this episode of Digital Learning Today, Jeffrey Bradbury interviews Nell Rosenberg, the National Director for Teleservices at the Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech. They discuss how to support students with hearing difficulties and the services provided by Clarke Schools. Nell explains that Clarke has been serving children who are deaf and hard of hearing for over 150 years and offers day school programs, mainstream services, and a tele-services program. She also shares her background as a speech language pathologist and auditory verbal therapist. Nell emphasizes the importance of early intervention and the role of parents in supporting their children with hearing needs. She encourages parents to reach out to Clarke or other programs for support and information. Nell also discusses the different types of hearing technology, such as hearing aids and cochlear implants, and the importance of self-advocacy for students with hearing loss. She provides tips for teachers on how to support students with hearin

In this episode, Jeffrey Bradbury interviews Eric Sheninger and Nicki Slaugh, authors of the book 'Personalize: Meeting the Needs of All Learners.' They discuss the importance of personalized learning and how to implement it in schools. They emphasize the need to identify each student as an individual and provide experiences that are engaging and challenging at their own level. They also highlight the significance of celebrating student wins and creating a culture of personalization. The conversation explores the concept of starting with your 'why' and empowering both students and staff. Eric and Nicki share their experiences and strategies for implementing personalized learning in their schools. The conversation focuses on the theme of personalization in education and the importance of creating a culture that meets the needs of all learners. Nikki Slaugh, a principal, shares her experiences in transforming her school to a personalized learning environment. She discusses the implementation of a mastery tracke

Show Notes In this episode of the Digital Learning Today Podcast, Jeff welcomes Katie Novak on the podcast LIVE from ISTE 2024! If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! About SMART Technologies SMART Technologies is a pioneering force in the development of interactive technology solutions. Renowned for SMART Board® interactive displays and comprehensive software offerings, the company is dedicated to creating engaging and collaborative learning and working environments, creating connections that matter for users the world over since 1987. With a focus on quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction, SMART Technologies continues to drive advancements in education and business technology worldwide. Links of Interest Website: https://www.smarttech.com/en/education Facebook: www.facebook.com/SMARTTechnologies X: https://twitter.com/SMART_Tech Instagram: smarttech_social LinkedIn: SMART Technolo